I’m doing an inductive Bible study with a group of ladies through John 15.

When you study a passage of God’s Word in depth, you always get something out of it that you would not get with a quick perusal of the passage.

Sometimes, it’s not something new you learn; but what those truths show us about God and His love for us are so mind-blowing.

Here are some of the mind-blowing amazing thoughts from the past couple of weeks:

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

This is a familiar verse — but I forget to live by it. I can do nothing on my own. I need God’s strength, wisdom, and guidance in anything I do. Yet, how often do I wake up and go about my day without thinking of asking for His help. Yes, of course, in the big problems, He is the first place I turn. But how about the little details? The every day concerns? I have to remember that in all things that I can do NOTHING.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2

Here we are told that God, the vinedresser, will purge the branches, believers, who bear fruit. Therefore, if I am bearing fruit, I should expect to receive purging.

This goes contrary to my human nature. I don’t want to experience difficulty or pain. I don’t want trials. Yet, that is often how God will prune me. And when He does prune me, I will bear more fruit. Therefore, I should desire His pruning in my life.

Why should I desire His pruning? Because when I bear fruit, He is glorified. This was another amazing thought to me. That my bearing fruit brings glory to Him. And what is the sole purpose of man?

According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” So if my bearing fruit brings Him glory, my desire should be to bear as much fruit as possible — which means I need to abide and submit to His purging.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

One other amazing truth in this passage is that Jesus is my friend. He is God, yet He has called me His friend.

Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. John 15:14-15

He is the best friend I can ever have. He is always faithful, always true. He gave His life for me. He loves me. He forgives me. He accepts me even though I have so many faults. He desires my fellowship. He is always there. He never fails.

When life is messed up and uncertain, I can go to Him. It’s amazing! He is my friend.

What amazing truths have you thought about God this week?

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

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Last week, I started sharing favorite posts from several months ago! I got into March, and today I want to continue sharing favorite thoughtful posts linked up to the last few months of parties.

• Thinking Seriously about Easter at a Serious Time from Soul Survival was a great post about the importance of us passing on our Christian faith to our children and how we could have used the pandemic and forced sheltering in place to teach spiritual truths. (3/19)
• 7 Verses to Calm Your Anxiousness from Unshakeable Joy is a good post about turning to God in all this chaos. (3/26)
• I could relate a lot to Jennifer Lambert’s Lessons from Quarantine. (4/2)
• This was another good post about being anxious called Anxiety & The Size of Our God from Soul Survival. I feel more sad when I watch the news this past week than during the height of the COVID pandemic. Maybe you need these verses at this time even though it was written back in April. (4/9)
• 4 Ways to Build Your Marriage During Social Distancing from InstaEncouragements is a good post for someone who is married to read at anytime. (4/16)
• With all the above posts about anxious, our kids can be anxious too. My oldest told me, “I’m feel so sad after going on Instagram or Facebook.” It makes me sad that our kids have to see and deal with the current environment in our country. However, God knew, and so we have to help them to learn to deal with what they experience now and in the future. When My Child’s Heart is Anxious by InstaEncouragements has some Scripture and books that may be helpful. (4/23)
• I enjoyed reading the post Waiting Practice by A New Lens. The post, “An Open Letter to Graduates During COVID-19” was a great read if you have a graduate in your life. Our oldest is graduating from high school, so it was especially interesting to me. (4/30)

I’ll come back and share more thoughtful posts I have enjoyed in the near future! What I found exciting is that so many posts were written months ago, but they were very timely with all the recent events occurring in our country. But since the posts are based on God’s Word, that should not surprise us, because God’s Word is always applicable to every circumstance we are going through. We have such a great hope and comfort we can turn to that the world knows nothing about. Let’s share it as much as we can. He is truly the only solution to our world’s problems.

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

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It’s been a very long time since I share some of my favorite posts that have linked up to all of these parties. The last time I shared favorites was January 16! So I went back to January 16, and I am sharing one post from each of those parties that was convicting, or encouraging, or a good reminder.

Thank you for writing and sharing posts that make other people think!

• From January 16, I enjoyed A New Len’s post called, Living Life in the Midst of Waiting.” Four months after it was written, I felt it very appropriate as we are waiting to get back to a more normal life after the stay-at-home orders many of us were under.

• At Home with Zan had a good article on January 23 called “Trusting in God’s Promises,” and I also enjoyed reading the article, “Is Premarital Counseling Right for Us” by K’Mich Wedding Soiree Blog. I know that my husband and I benefited greatly from premarital counseling!

• From January 30th’s party, the article, “How I Pray” from Jennifer Lambert shared helpful prayer ideas for what we can pray for our children.

• If you are trying to have healthier eating habits, then the helpful hints shared in Clean Eating Food List – Your Way To Success from Heidi Naturally are worth reading. (February 6)

• Having a Vision for HOME from Thrive on One Income linked up to February 13th’s party was a convicting post for me to read. I have been working full-time 2 out of the past 5 years, and part-time the other 3 years. I have gotten much busier with church ministries. I think I have lost my vision sometimes for the home — sometimes I am just surviving or hanging on. I need to catch the vision again with what I want to do as a mom in our home.

• InstaEncouragements shared the post called 16 Names of God & What They Mean on February 20th’s party. I have written several posts on the Names of God, so I wanted to see what she shared about the Names of God.

• ​Look to the Ant to Know Peace When the Storms Come from InstaEncouragements linked up to February 27th’s party was also a great read.

• The article, “Skincare — 3 Things You Did not Know About Fish Oil” from K’Mich Wedding Soiree Blog from March 5th’s party made me want to start taking fish oil. I didn’t know that it was good for hair — and my hair needs some help!

Next week, I’ll share some more favorite posts from parties since March 12. Thanks for taking the time to link up at these Thoughtful Thursday parties and for writing posts that matter!

The thoughtful topics for your posts could be related to but not limited to the following topics:

* homemaking * homeschooling * devotional or Biblical posts * Christian in nature * family/marriage * inspirational *

1. Do NOT link up recipes, reviews, giveaways, diy, or crafts.
2. Link up to three posts that have not been linked up to this linky previously!
3. We would love it if you visited a couple other posts and left a comment or shared/pinned the post!
4. If you wish, please follow Creative K Kids by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on social media.

If you link up, we would love if you put this button somewhere on your blog (sidebar, post, or party page) or provide a text link so that others can also find these great posts.

<div align=”center”><a href=”https://creativekkids.com” title=”Creative K Kids”><img src=”https://creativekkids.com/Thoughtful Thursdays 150.jpg” alt=”Creative K Kids” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

If you would like to receive a weekly email reminder on Thursday parties about linking up to this party, please sign up HERE.